Cougars split first two against difficult opposition

September 23, 2015 · 0 Comments

Derek Neilly breaks down the ice during his one goal performance in the Schomberg Cougars’ 5-3 loss to the Penetang Kings last Friday.
By Jake Courtepatte
On the scoreboard, the Junior C Schomberg Cougars look to be right at the .500 level of hockey they ended off on last regular season.
But if there is anything that the first two games of the Georgian Mid-Ontario Hockey League regular season have shown so far, it’s that the team has the ability to reach the heights they found in last winter’s playoffs.
The Cougars stunned the league with a Cinderella run all the way to the GMOHL playoffs last season, vaulting over the likes of the Huntsville Otters and reigning league champs Penetang Kings on their way.
It was in the finals that they met their toughest opponent, the Alliston Hornets, who disposed of the Cougars in four straight.
“That was tough,” said head coach Jim Egerton. “But we’re thinking ahead to this season. Now we know what we’re capable of.”
They opened the season last Thursday at their home rink the Trisan Centre, playing in front of a riled-up home crowd. Their opponent was the Stayner Siskins, losers of only six games all last season.
It was Stayner that struck first mid way through the opening frame, beating first-year goaltender Vince Michelizzi of Newmarket. The 16-year-old spent last season in the GTHL, tending the pipes with the North York Rangers AAA squad.
Veteran Riley Egerton took a couple passes from fellow veterans Derek Neilly and Declan Lampe shortly into the second to even the score, while JP Crescenzi put the Cougars ahead for the first time a few minutes later.
Up 2-1 heading to the third, the Cougars were highly outplayed in the final frame, but Michelizzi’s solid play in net was enough to limit the Siskins to just one more tally. Joseph Mete and Mike Elia sealed the deal in the Cougars’ 4-2 victory.
In Penetang the next night, a high-shooting affair saw both Egerton and Mete extend their scoring streaks to tie the game at two heading to the third. That was where other first-year goaltender Martin Lauzon simply couldn’t handle the barrage being thrown at his net, allowing three-straight Penetang goals matched only by a Neilly tally for the 5-3 loss.
Despite the losing effort, the Cougars put up 43 shots on the Penetang goal.
“The whole team has looked promising so far,” said Egerton. “We just have to keep working as a team and getting to know everyone’s style of play.”
The Cougars are home to the Orillia Terriers this Thursday, who are desperately searching for a first win of the season while not even coming close so far. They’ve allowed 15 goals over their first three games.
A more difficult challenge faces them Friday night when they head to Alliston to take on the Hornets in the rowdiest rink in the league.
For stats, schedules, and more information, visit www.schombergcougars.com.